BLACK FOREST YOGURT BOWLS

But make it powerhouse! Antioxidant rich chocolate cherry probiotic bliss in a bowl.

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Good Morning!

Earlier this week, I posted about everything I’m feeding my kids (and the grown-ups) for our busy life on the go. But I later realized that one sleeper hit deserved a little more attention: the recipe giving me life this week, as spring things are still emerging slowly in the garden and farmer’s markets (rhubarb, early strawberries, all the greens).

While we wait it out for cherry season (July!), I’m teasing my Black Forest Yogurt Bowls out here as a solo post to see how glorious it is in your favorite bowl, for those of you lucky enough to eat your breakfast at a table, or under a willow tree this week.

The secret beauty of this bowl, which appears decadent enough to be dessert, is its vital nutrient power. In one bowl, you’ll find macronutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats (from the yogurt and all those seeds), plus omega-3s (thanks to flax, chia, and hemp), probiotics (yogurt), and antioxidants (cocoa, kumpquat/orange peel, cherries, and berries). This bowl is also rich in Vitamins A (yogurt, cherries, kumquat/orange), B1, B2, B6 and B12 (yogurt, granola, seeds), C (berries and cherries), D (yogurt), E (nuts, seeds), K (raspberries), plus Calcium (yogurt and poppy seeds), Magnesium, Potassium (banana, cherries), Iron (chia, poppy seeds), Zinc (seeds + yogurt), and Manganese (raspberries, granola, seeds).

Not a bad way to start the day!

Of course, you can haphazardly layer everything in a bowl and dive in. It does not have to be pretty or perfect. But for some reason, it really does taste better when you start with a beautiful bowl and fan that banana over the top before sprinkling on all the extras. I can’t explain—it’s not science. Just trust.

Lots of love,

xx

Sarah

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BLACK FOREST BREAKFAST BOWL

Use the formula below to build a nutrient-dense breakfast bowl that lights up your morning and feels worth waking up for. Lately, I find the more-is-more strategy not only makes this the most interesting and delicious, but the energy boost lasts all day. Technically, yogurt, chocolate granola, and cherries are the only essentials to make this “black forest” (and delicious). Still, every extra you add, from the banana to a scattering of mixed seeds on top, boosts your gut health and long, sustained energy for any task that may lie ahead.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk, plain (unsweetened) yogurt

• 1 1/3 cup homemade or store-bought chocolate granola (here’s my recipe)

• 2 cups frozen, pitted cherries (I love these or these)*

• 2 small bananas, thinly sliced

• 2/3 cup fresh raspberries (optional)

• 1/4 cup kumquats, sliced (optional)

• 3 tablespoons each chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and poppy seeds (optional, mix and match depending on what you have in house)

• edible blossoms or herbs, like lilacs, pansies, cherry blossoms, lemon verbena, peppermint, or chocolate mint (optional)

Directions

1. Divide the yogurt between four shallow bowls. Toss the cherries in a bowl to soften/defrost slightly and let the cherry juices weep. Drizzle the cherries and any juices over four bowls (or spoon the cherries over the top frozen and let them weep into the yogurt while you prepare the remaining toppings). Fan the sliced banana over each bowl. Sprinkle with raspberries, kumquats (if using), and a couple of teaspoons each of all your favorite seeds (I use all four).

2. For special days, garnish any edible blossoms (lilacs, pansies, cherry blossoms) or delicate herbs (lemon verbena, peppermint, or chocolate mint) as you wish. Serve.

   
   *grocery note: You can use sweet-only cherries for this, but I find the tang and sour punch of a mixed cherry blend that includes sour cherries keeps the sweetness in check.

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Copyright © 2025 by Sarah Copeland.